FAIRFIELD, Alabama -- A Fairfield man briefly held his wife and young grandson hostage today, but surrendered after a SWAT team surrounded his home.

Fairfield police received a 911 call from a home in the 600 block of Seminole Circle, but the caller hung up. A dispatcher called the number back, and learned from the woman that her husband was armed and holding her against her will, said Fairfield Police Chief Leon Davis.

Police responded to the home, and called the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office SWAT team to assist. The 57-year-old man, whose name hasn't been released, held police at bay for more than an hour before negotiators were able to talk him into giving up.

His wife and 3-year-old grandchild weren't harmed, Davis said.

"We were glad it was over," the chief said.

Just recently, the man submitted an letter to the editor in a Birmingham publication claiming he has "been bombarded with harassment from the police chief, mayor and a selected councilman. They're upset because they are nothing more than thieves, drug dealers and unethical."

Police recovered a shotgun from the home. Davis said the man suffers from mental illness and won't be charged criminally, but said authorities are petitioning to have him committed to a mental facility.